Assessment of EMI and Power Quality in Mains Power Distribution Using a Low-Cost Breakout Box for EMC Education

Ensuring measuring safety during electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and power quality (PQ) measurements is crucial, especially when students are involved. To enable utilization of low-cost digitizers, a measurement breakout box was designed to measure the mains voltage via a 1:1000 resistive divider, and via a high pass filtered output (from 2 kHz to 1 MHz). Also, a current measuring Hall-Element was added to reduce the cost of performing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and PQ measurements. This paper describes measurements that students can do in the laboratory using simple, low-cost, and safe measurement devices. As an assignment, students can for instance calculate total harmonic distortion (THD), apparent, reactive, and real powers. Additionally, using Fourier, the EMI present in the mains voltage can be observed via the high pass filter outputs. The breakout box was designed to enable EMC education by means of experiments and demonstrations at a low cost.